DECISION ON THE PROGRESS REPORT ON THE AFRICAN UNION RESPONSE
ON COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN AFRICA, BY H.E. CYRIL MATAMELA RAMAPHOSA,
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
The Assembly,
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TAKES NOTE WITH APPRECIATION of the report of the AU Health Commission on COVID-19, led by the AU COVID-19 Champion, H.E. Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, on the progress made in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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COMMENDS H.E. President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa for his leadership in Africa’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic; and ACKNOWLEDGES the critical role of the AU Commission and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in their effective response to the pandemic.
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RECOGNIZES that disease threats require a multi-agency response through strong continental institutions including the Africa CDC and the Africa Medicines Agency (AMA).
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ACKNOWLEDGES that Africa’s socio-economic recovery from the pandemic depends on the continent’s ability to turn the current challenges into viable opportunities including through increasing the capacities and capabilities of the health workforce; initiating and expanding local manufacturing enterprises for all commodities required in pandemic response and particularly vaccines; and mobilizing appropriate technical and financial resources for preparedness and response.
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ENDORSES the Progress Report of the AU Health Commission on COVID19 including all its recommendations.
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DECIDES to extend the role of H.E. President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa as the AU COVID19 Champion.
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REQUESTS the AU COVID19 Champion to present a progress report to the next session of the Mid-Year Coordination meeting as well as the next Assembly.
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DIRECTS the AU Commission and the Africa CDC to continue providing the required support to the AU COVID19 Champion in his role.
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ALSO DECIDES to remain seized on this matter